Fire-extinguishing apparatus for vehicles



May 6 1924.

M. L. DUNBAR FIRE EXTINGUISH ING APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES Original iled May 11, 19.18

PatentedMay 6, 1924.

UNITED S ATES M93327- PATENT-OFFICE.

i N L. DUNBAB, OF NOBWALK, OHIO.

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Application filed Kay. 11, 1918, Serial No. 233,956. Renewed January 18, 1924.

To all whom it obncem;

Be it known that I, MAHLON L. DUNBAR,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Norwalk, in the county of Huron and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fire-Extinguishing Apparatus for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates-t0 fire extinguishing apparatus for vehicles, the object in view be-' ing to provide means capable of quick and manual control whereby a fire extinguishing chemical, under pressure, may be distributed, scattered or sprayed around a predetermined danger zone, as, for example, the engine compartment or space of an airplane, motor vehicle,-motor boat, or the like. The present invention is designed pri-' marily for use in conjunction with the engine and engine compartmentof an airplane or any othertype of aircraft in which by reason of the high test fuel employed, there is special danger of fire produced from various causes, such, for example, as a back fire from the engine. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is 'designed'to be used in conjunction with any danger zone in a motor driven vehicle, as, for-example, the gasoline or fuel tank and it will be apparent as the description proceeds, that several danger zones in the same aircraft or other vehicle may be subjected simultaneously to the smothering action of the fire extinguishing chemical. V

Another object of the invention is to pro vide means under the same control as the fire extinguishing ap aratus for preventing air from reaching t e danger zone, said means being shown in the form of a shutter which is closed simultaneously with the beof the operation of the fire extinguishing apparatus, and which is again opened as soon as the operation of the fire extinguisher terminates. a

With the above and other objects in view,

the invention consists in the construction,

combination and arrangement of parts, as herein described, illustrated and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing the fire extinguishing apparatus in. its applied relation to the enginecompartment and the drivers compartment of a vehicle, such as an airplane or motor vehicle.

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of the distributing spray 'plpe.

shown at 3, 4 designating the radiator used in conjunction with the engine and 5 the instrument board or dash of the vehicle.

The fire extinguishing apparatus comprises a compressed air cylinder 6, a chemiranged in a conduit between the cylinders 6 and 7 and operable by means of a han- (He 9 which is within easy and convenient reach of the operator of the vehicle? Leading off from the cylinder 7 is an outlet or discharge pipe 10 which is controlled by a valve 11 connected b 7 equivalent thereof wit an arm 13 on the stem of the valve 8 whereby both of said valves Sand 11 are operated simultaneously, one to release the air and the other to release the fire extinguishin chemical is propel ed by compresse air.

The outlet or discharge pipe 10 extends into the engine compartment 1 which constitutes a danger, zone in which the engine cal cylinder 7 and a controlling valve 8 ara rod 12 or the which 3 operates. In the form of the spray pipe 0 The spray pipe, as a who e, is formed with a multiplicity of perforations 19, as shown to enable the fire extinguishing chemical to be distributed and sprayed throughout the entire danger zone or engine com artment. It is obvious, however, that the s ape 1 or formation of the spray pipe may be changed at will in accordance with any special requirements such as danger zones of iiiigfaerent shapes, sizes, dimensions and the provide fire extinguishing apparatus which.

may be used effectively in the manner above described in a motor driven vehicle while the latter is in motion. The apparatus is particularly useful in an aircraft where the high speed of the machine and the frequent nnpossibilityof making a quick landing precludes the extinguishing of a fire and results inthe fire making fatal progress before the life or lives of the occupant or occupants of the vehiclemay be saved.

In order to rendefithe apparatus still more effective for aerial and automobile simultaneously opened. By thus excluding the engine compartment oxygen or fresh air from the danger zone,

the smothering of the fire is insured. some cases, it will only be necessary to extend a portion of the spray pipe 1n front of the engine or head of the engine in the direction in which the aircraft is being propelled in which case, as soon as the chemical is sprayed from said pipe, it will be swept rearwardly over the danger zone through y the inpouring air which passes througlit he' radiator 4.

In combination, a motor vehicle, a manuundcr pressure carried by the motor vehicle as part of the equipment thereof, a motor carried by the vehicle also as part of the equipment thereof, a spray pipe connected with said source and surrounding and adapted to deliver the chemical over the area in which the motor is located, the manual controlling means being located Within convenient reach of the operator, and a movable shutter in front of the motor and the said area in which the motor is located to prevent the admission of air to the area and motor during the time that the chemical is supplied to the said area and operable by the manual means for controlling the chemical supply.

In testimony whereof I afiix mysignature.

- MAHLON L. DUNBAR.

ally-controlled source of chemical supply 

